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Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

A decadent breakfast that simplifies mornings by allowing prep the night before, featuring creamy custard-infused bread topped with a crispy caramelized sugar layer.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: French
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 loaf French bread Opt for slightly stale bread for better absorption.
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup heavy cream Can be substituted with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
  • 1 cup milk Almond milk can be used for a dairy-free option.
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • to taste Sugar for caramelizing

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter.
  2. Cut the French bread into thick slices, about an inch thick. Arrange these slices in the greased baking dish, overlapping them slightly.
Custard Mixture
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon until smooth, around 2-3 minutes.
  2. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices and press down gently with a spatula to ensure the bread soaks well.
  3. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Baking
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Bake the covered dish for 30 minutes, then remove the cover and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
  3. After removing from the oven, sprinkle sugar on top and caramelize it with a kitchen torch until golden.
Serving
  1. Cut into squares and serve warm, optionally pairing with fresh fruit or whipped cream.

Notes

For best results, use quality French or artisan bread. Avoid overbaking to prevent dryness.